Top Headlines News Today, Tuesday, 16th of June 2020

1. Worship centres to operate at 25 percent capacity in Oyo State

The Oyo State Government has warned the citizens, that it will not hesitate to lockdown the state again to prevent the escalation of coronavirus in the state.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Taiwo Adisa, in Ibadan capital of Oyo state south west Nigeria on Monday, Governor Seyi Makinde said that curfew would now be imposed from 10 pm to 4 am.

The Governor who is also the Chairman of the State Covid-19 task force said that Primary Six, JSS3 and SS3 students would return to classes from Monday, June 29, but must wear face masks, while the Parents /Teachers association are to provide, water and sanitizers in their schools as the tertiary institutions remained close. Also under locks are night clubs, bar and restaurants.

All category of workers will be back to office with all protocols duly observed at the state secretariat from June 22.

But Churches and mosques are to operate only at 25 percent capacity while public gathering should not exceed 25 persons to prevent Covid-19 explosion.

2. Abia government threatens stiffer measures over COVID-19

The Abia State Deputy Governor, Ude Oko Chukwu has warned that the government may be forced to take stiffer measures to reduce the spread of COVID 19 if Abia residents continue to disobey the government’s directives.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the State Joint Task Force on Covid-19 at the Government House, Umuahia, the Deputy Governor insisted that the rising cases in the state were a result of careless behaviour of some people, especially the Aba residents.

The Deputy Governor who said that the state is expecting two molecular laboratories to be installed noted that it will encourage massive testing of Abia residents.

3. Gbajabiamila appeals to resident doctors to reconsider strike action

The Speaker of the House of Rep. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has called on the Resident Doctors to call off their strike while resolutions for their demand are implemented one after the other by the government.

The Speaker who expressed surprise over the nationwide strike on Monday, after last Tuesday’s 3-hours meeting with the leadership of the resident doctors and the executive arm led by the two ministers of the Federal Ministry of Health, said that a lot have been achieved.

These are the hazard allowance inclusion in the revised 2020 Budget, with the law to back it up and The provision of N4 billion approved by the House from the Service Wide Votes for the funding of residency programme as provided for by the Medical Residency Training Act which the Senate also agreed to, on the issue of PPEs, it was revealed at the meeting that all Federal Government medical facilities in the country have been provided, while the sack of 23 doctors was also resolved.

4. FG lauds Nigerian youths for their ingenuity

The Federal Government on Monday lauded Nigerian youths for their ingenuity in producing hand sanitising machines in an effort to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Dr George Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, gave the commendation when he received locally-made hand sanitising machines from the International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation Professionals (IICFIP) in Abuja.

Akume, represented by Mr Festus Dauda, a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, appreciated the IICFIP for its initiative to support government in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by donating the hand sanitising machines.

According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic is not only a national challenge, but a global challenge that has compelled governments throughout the world to take measures to combat it.

“It is a war that is being fought which I believe that in no distant time, we will overcome. The government on its part is trying its best to see how this challenge can be surmounted.

5. Consider suspending NYSC camps for 2 years, Osinbajo committee tells FG

The Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on the federal government to consider suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp exercises for two years.

In its report presented to President Muhammadu Buhari last week and seen by TheCable, the committee recommended the consideration of suspension of NYSC camps for 24 months.

“The immediate focus in the Education sector is to address the disruptions caused by the pandemic and ensuing social distancing measures at all levels of education,” the report read.

“Practical steps will be taken to minimise disruption to learning, utilising technology as appropriate. Specifically, virtual learning will be implemented (either online or through broadcast), virtual convocation ceremonies or issuance of certificates (with postponed ceremonies) should be implemented to continue educational progression.

“In similar context, consideration will be given to suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp Exercises for at least 24 months while allowing deployment to places of primary assignment.

6. BREAKING: Aisha Buhari's ADC Released, Reassigned To Force Headquarters, Others Regain Freedom

Shugaba is seen as a threat especially by this group of persons, who now consider Mrs Buhari to be their major stumbling block in continuing to 'manipulate' the President in their favour.

7. War In Aso Rock: Superior Faction In Presidency Wants To Humiliate Aisha Buhari, Junaid Mohammed Says

Aisha clashed with a group of powerful and almost untouchable individuals around Buhari after her Aide De Camp and other security details forced her husband's Personal Assistant, Saibu 'Tunde' Yusuf, out of Aso Villa on Thursday for refusing to embark on a 14-day isolation period after a trip from Lagos.

8.I Cannot Look My People In The Eyes, I Have Failed To Protect Them —Katsina Governor, Masari

“I never expected the behaviour and the attitude of people living in the forests, the bandits, whose behaviour is worse than that of animals. In the forest, a lion or a tiger kills only when it is hungry and it doesn’t kill all animals, it only kills the one it can eat at a time."

9. BREAKING: 573 new cases of Covid-19, 4 more deaths

Lagos-216

Rivers-103

Oyo-68

Edo-40

Kano-21

Gombe-20

FCT-17

Delta-13

Plateau-12

Bauchi-12

Niger-10

Kebbi-9

Ogun-8

Ondo-8

Abia-7

Nasarawa-5

Borno-1

Kwara-1

Benue-1

Anambra-1

16,658 confirmed

5,349 discharged

424 deaths

10. COVID-19: Ondo Records 30 Cases In One Week As Seven Health Workers Contract Virus

Seven of the cases are health workers serving in a private hospital where one of the earlier cases reported showed up for treatment.

11. Landlady in court for allegedly restraining tenant from moving out

The police, on Monday, arraigned a 57-year-old landlady, Mrs. Augustina Anyanaso, before a Life Camp magistrates’ court for allegedly restraining her tenant from moving out and inciting public disturbance.

The police charged Mrs. Anyanaso who resides in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, with wrongful restraint and inciting public disturbance.

The prosecutor alleged that on the said date, the complainant brought a truck to move her belongings because her rent had expired.

Ejike further alleged that after the complainant moved her things into the truck, the defendant locked the gate with a padlock and stopped the truck from moving out.

12. FLASHBACK: 12 things Oshiomhole said about Obaseki in 2016

Daily Trust compiles twelve remarks Oshiomhole made in support of Obaseki in 2016, some of which are:

a. God knows that Godwin comes from a large family in Benin Kingdom, he went to school, he finished his secondary school, he went to University of Ibadan, he finished, there were no issues, he finished in flying colours.

b. He went to the U. S., he did his Masters, he came back home, started helping people to set up businesses, he helped to manage businesses, he helped to set up many banks including several second-generation banks.

c. I don’t care if Obaseki betrays me at the end of the day, Obaseki’s allegiance should be to the people and not me.

d. The oath of office he is going to subscribe to says that he will defend the constitution of Nigeria, he will do everything to uplift the quality of life of Edo people.

Nothing in his oath of office will include ‘I shall not betray my predecessor’ because I have no interest to be betrayed.

13. Amotekun not special – Ogun CP

Ogun State Police Commissioner, Kenneth Ebrimson , has cautioned the people of Ogun State against overrating the Western Nigeria Security Network , codenamed Operation Amotekun.

The Police boss , who fielded questions on the establishment of Amotekun in the state, advised the people of the state not to be worried over the security network.

He said Amotekun will be treated like other voluntary security outfits such as vigilance groups among others.

14. Baby falls from Abuja hospital’s top floor, dies

A three- month- old baby has died after falling from the first floor of the Garki General Hospital, Abuja.

It was learnt that the incident occurred on Sunday.

A security guard at the hospital told News men that the baby ’s mother and two others were on their way to the emergency ward when the incident happened.

“A woman and two others were on the top floor and rushing to the emergency ward, when the baby she was carrying , slipped from her grip and fell to the ground floor. The baby ’s neck got broken in the process and the baby died,” a guard at the hospital said.

15. Don’t open schools, viewing centres, stadiums now, FG warns states

The Federal Government on Monday warned state governments that were planning to reopen schools to drop the plan.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID - 19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Mr Boss Mustapha , gave the warning during the PTF press briefing in Abuja.